Hands-on impressions of Marvelous' new RPG Eternal Anima show combat built around outcome predictions and a timeline, with the thought process of pursuing the best outcome drawing players into the zone.
Marvelous has announced its new RPG Eternal Anima for Switch 2/PS5/Xbox Series X|S/PC, with a planned release date of 4 March 2027. The story moves between the present day and the past, and incorporates elements that let players decipher heroes' legacies and new jobs using Mind Reading.
Combat is based on a traditional turn-based system, but features a back-and-forth structure in which all characters' actions are decided in advance before being executed, with the results of each character's actions continuously displayed as predicted outcomes. Striking an elemental weakness also triggers delay, allowing players to drive enemies into a break state on the timeline and aim for successive damage.
The predicted outcomes show not only damage amounts but also the order in which actions will activate, while gaining the initiative creates opportunities for critical hits. Switching jobs and acquiring skills through Mind Reading are also positioned as key elements of combat, highlighting the depth of its strategy. The game offers a high level of immersion, with players reporting the experience of entering the zone while playing.
Exploration retains the conventions of a classic JRPG, while improvements to the minimap and destination markers make progression smooth. Multiple difficulty levels will be available, and a fast-forward function is expected to be included as standard. A Switch 2 version is also planned, with handheld play reportedly making it easier to enter the zone.